Daniel Farke’s attacking options at Leeds United could be about to be boosted by the deadline day signing of Cameron Archer.
Leeds United have sat on their hands for most of the January transfer window, with failed moves for Emi Buendi and Louie Barry their only real activity.
That is, until, the last few days of the transfer window when it emerged they had shifted attention to signing striker Cameron Archer.
Leeds are top of the Championship table at present but have seen title rivals Burnley and Sheffield United strengthen considerably this month.
Burnley pulled off a coup in signing Marcus Edwards on deadline day while the Blades have signed Tom Cannon and Ben Brereton Diaz.
In response, Leeds are attempting to strengthen their own attacking arsenal by moving for Southampton’s Archer.
A loan offer was rejected last week but Leeds were understood to be pushing for the move ahead of deadline day.
With Southampton now closing in on signing striker Victor Udoh, Archer may be given the green light to move.
Should Daniel Farke get his man, here are three ways the manager could utilise Archer.
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Cameron Archer replaces Joel Piroe
The most obvious use for Archer is for him to replace Joel Piroe in the starting XI and lead the attack.
Though Piroe was excellent as he scored twice against Cardiff on Saturday, the striker is inconsistent in front of goal.
His return of 12 so far is good but he should have a lot more and often disappears in games. He’s fortunate Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford have proven unable to replace him.
Archer, meanwhile, with 18 goals and seven assists in 40 Championship games, does offer stiff competition and would bring a stronger presence to the head of attack.
The rivalry for a place could inspire Piroe to improve, too, and both strikers can be used interchangeably in Farke’s favoured 4-2-3-1 system.
Archer plays alongside Piroe
The reason Leeds were mainly targeting a new playmaker for most of the window is because it’s the one area where they lack multiple options.
Brenden Aaronson is the only one of Leeds’ many forwards who can really play the role and is being over-relied upon as a result.
It’s no surprise the American is looking leggy on the pitch and isn’t standing out as much as his fellow forwards at present as he clearly needs a rest.
Though it’s not his ideal position, Archer has played as a supporting striker off the main forward in the past and there’s the option of him playing alongside Piroe rather than replacing him.
Archer likely won’t bring the acute range of passing Aaronson does, but he will be able to press and harry defenders just as much.
Archer the impact substitute
Leeds are blessed with one of the biggest squads in the Championship and have attacking options that the rest of the division can only dream of.
In Dan James, Manor Solomon, Largie Ramazani and Willy Gnonto, they have four skilful wingers who are all capable of hurting teams. Not to mention Piroe, Aaronson and Joseph.
As a result, Farke has so many options that his bench is always full of quality and he is able to call on them to help change games if things aren’t going well.
Archer only improves that and will be especially helpful in matches where he can come on and grab a goal when Leeds are being frustrated.
The 23-year-old has also played out wide himself in the past, though, it would take a massive injury crisis for him to be needed there at Leeds.
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